Help me correct a bland screen -- screenshots included

[Robert Tilley]

My KDE desktop is extremely bland and lifeless compared to my Windows box.  
There are many beautiful screenshots of extravagant desktops, but I'm always 
puzzled why mine is so lifeless.

If someone could review these links to screenshots and offer some advice, it 
would be most appreciated.

Thanks, Bob

http://home.cfl.rr.com/rtgroup/example-screen.png

http://home.cfl.rr.com/rtgroup/full-screen.png